American Movie

Ah, independent filmmaking. There are few people out there with the passion and fortitude it takes to make a short film, let alone a full feature, and see the project through to completion. The process is not for the faint of heart, and struggling with a shoe-string budget, the impulses of actors, and plain old bad luck takes a level of obsession that few possess. And while the final results may not always be worth watching, the journey itself can make for compelling drama.

Which brings us to the documentary called American Movie.

The film follows Wisconsin native Mark Borchardt’s movie-making attempts over the course of three years. At first, Mark tries to get things going on a full length screenplay entitled Northwestern. But after realizing that he doesn’t have the resources to pull it off, Mark decides to shoot a short film of his called Coven. And during the long and frustrating production, Mark faces challenges both in his filmmaking and personal life that would make most folks quit altogether.



During Mark’s journey we’re introduced to some of the characters in his life, including his Uncle Bill, a cranky, retired man who Mark convinces to invest in his movie. Then there’s Mark’s good friend Mike Schank, an ex-alcoholic-turned-gambling-addict who manages to keep an aura of child-like innocence about him, no matter what else is happening. With their help, Mark manages to finish his film, and finally see it screened in front of an audience.

Of course, one could make the point that maybe someone in his early thirties, living at home, eye-ball deep in debt and with three kids might have more important things to worry about than a movie. But it’s those very same reasons that make Mark’s story so compelling. And you have to give the man credit; he worked hard and finished something that most people only ever talk about doing. In his own way, Mark does become an American success story.



- Nate